Roosevelt students, staff and partners highlighted at RPS 205 board meeting

Principal John Schmemellzer presented an overview of Roosevelt Community Education Center, telling the Rockford Public Schools Board that the program serves a mix of high‑school and adult learners and focuses on individualized instruction, project‑based learning and connections to college and careers. "We pull from all four high schools in the district and it really is representative of what the Rockford community looks like," Schmemellzer said.

Schmemellzer said Roosevelt currently has approximately 509 high‑school students enrolled and has served 663 students so far this year on the high‑school side, with 81 current adult GED students and 15 infants and toddlers in the program's daycare. He said literacy and attendance are tracked repeatedly using the KOSTA assessment and Panorama survey; the school reported a measurable skill gain rate of 44% (state target 41%) and a strong‑sense‑of‑belonging measure at about 48% in the winter window.

Student testimony put the numbers in human terms. "My name is Malia. I'm 16 years old and I'm proud to say I am graduating early thanks to Roosevelt," Malia said, describing how MTSS staff, counselors and administrators helped her recover credits and reengage in school. Principal Schmemellzer also shared an adult‑education success story: Trayon and his mother Crystal enrolled together, and Schmemellzer said Trayon passed his fourth and final GED test that day.

Schmemellzer detailed career and postsecondary supports: 29 speakers have engaged 1,609 students in speaker events, 36 field trips have reached 601 students, and 16 job shadows have involved roughly 70 students with five additional job shadows planned in health pathways. He noted credential outcomes including Rock Valley College forklift certifications, 20 early‑childhood education credentials (level 1), and the district’s first student to pass the WorkKeys paraprofessional exam this year.

Board members asked operational questions. Miss McCall asked how students from other schools can access Teddy's Closet; Schmemellzer said social workers arrange appointments and families may contact the school. When asked what donations are most helpful, Schmemellzer said diapers and wipes, hygiene products and clothing are persistently needed. "Any kind of hygiene products for students ... deodorant, soap, shampoo ... are very popular and it's really hard to keep that in stock," he said.

Schmemellzer named community partners supporting Roosevelt programming, including the Illinois Community College Board (grant funder), Rock Valley College, Rockford Rescue Mission, Winnebago County Health Department and local nonprofits that provide materials and programming.

The presentation closed with a short student video produced by Asha Moira and student testimonials emphasizing the school's flexible pacing and supportive environment. The board thanked the Roosevelt team for the presentation and for the student success stories shared that evening.